Beckley

With its sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains and the New River Gorge, Grandview National Park really lives up to its name. This park spans 52 acres and includes six hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging. The trails will take guests through calm woodlands, past mountain streams, and up to the top of beautiful scenic overlooks. Grandview is also famous for its rhododendron bushes, which bloom from mid-May to July. The park contains picnic areas, playgrounds, boating, fishing, camping, and a 1200-seat outdoor amphitheater, and it is open year-round. The visitor center is open June through August.

Coal mining has played a vital role in the history and development of West Virginia. That history is on display at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum. Guests can tour an actual coal mine, see real mining equipment, and learn about the mining process. Located next to the coal mine is the Beckley Youth Museum, which features four boxcars each with a different exhibit. Science, art, and history exhibits can all be found here. The youth museum also features a recreated mountain homestead to show visitors what life was like for the earliest residents of Appalachia.

Address: 513 Ewart Avenue Beckley, WV 25801, Phone: 304-256-1747

With its mountains, forests, and rolling hills, West Virginia is rich in natural beauty, which visitors can experience at Bluestone State Park, located five miles south of Hinton. The park covers 2,100 acres of forested mountain terrain and sits next to Bluestone Lake. Bluestone Park contains miles of hiking trails, basketball, volleyball, and shuffleboard courts, an outdoor swimming pool, and a campground that includes 26 cabins for rent. Fishing, boating, and water skiing are available at Bluestone Lake. The lake’s marina is open April through October and offers boat rentals, weather permitting.

Address: HC 78 Box 3 Hinton, WV 25951, Phone: 304-466-2805

With two locations in the city, the Beckley Arts Center showcases an unwavering commitment to promoting the arts, cultivating emerging artists, educating the public about the arts, as well as creating opportunities for members of the community who may not have the means to explore careers in the arts. The Beckley Arts Center does this by hosting regular art exhibitions featuring works by established and up-and-coming artists, and by offering educational programs like visual and performing art classes to the public. The Center also offers workshops and private lessons for people of all ages and skill levels. Visit the Art Gallery, gift shop, and art lab at the Johnstown Road location, or try a private music class at the Neville Street Location.

Address: 600 Johnstown Road, Beckley, West Virginia 25801, Phone: 304-253-9226

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Calacino’s Pizzeria has been a Beckley institution for over 80 years. The restaurant opened in 1934 and has been providing locals with hot, delicious pizza ever since. Calacino’s cooks their pizza in a high heat stone oven. The result is a delicious hot pie with a thin, crispy crust! In addition to pizza, Calacino’s offers appetizers, salads, pasta, and special French bread pizzas called “stackers.” Guests can enjoy college sports on the many flat-screen televisions in the restaurant. They even offer live music on occasion.

Address: 3611 Robert C Byrd Drive Beckley, WV 25801, Phone: 304-253-1010

Little Beaver State Park is the place to be for outdoor family fun. This 562-acre park showcases the natural beauty of West Virginia through a series of short hiking and biking trails in varying degrees of difficulty. From easy, flat walks to challenging climbs, there is a trail for every experience level. The park also contains an 18-acre lake where visitors can fish for trout, bass, bluegill, and crappie year-round. Boat rentals are available seasonally. In 2011, a 46-site campground opened at the park, and it contains water and electric hook-ups, paved and gravel roads, and a bathhouse with laundry facilities.

Address: 1402 Grandview Road Beaver, WV 25813, Phone: 304-763-2494

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Mountain State Miniature Golf features 18 holes each dedicated to a unique feature of the Mountain State. Holes with mountains, forests, wildlife, a coal mine, and a mountain gorge bridge can be found here. There is even a hole dedicated to West Virginia’s legendary Mothman! Next to the golf course, visitors will find Outside-In, the area’s only indoor climbing range. Skilled climbers and beginners can test their skills on the range’s 35-foot climbing wall. When they’re ready for a treat, visitors can grab a cup of coffee, smoothie, or a shake at the Chocolate Moose Coffee Shop, located next door.

Address: 1818 Harper Road Beckley, WV 25801, Phone: 304-253-7242

The fine arts are on display at Tamarak! Since 1994, Tamarak has existed to showcase the work of West Virginia’s best artists and crafters. Their large art gallery hosts six shows a year and features paintings, photographs, ceramics, and more by area artists. Their large retail space offers art, craft items, glass, handmade soaps, and jewelry for sale. Tamarak also has a theater that hosts live performances every Sunday afternoon. Visitors to Tamarak can also grab a bit to eat at the facility’s food court, which features a deli, bakery, and a full-service restaurant.

Address: One Tamarak Park Beckley, WV 25801, Phone: 888-262-7225

Citizens who wanted to bring the culture of the area to the public through the performance arts founded Theatre West Virginia in 1955. Today, the outdoor theatre is still producing high-quality live shows, all against the backdrop of the New River Gorge. Shows vary seasonally, but “Hatfields and McCoys” and “Honey in the Rock” are standbys that are preformed often. The theatre also offers acting and theatre classes for local youth in the spring. A complete list of classes and upcoming musicals and shows can be found on the theatre’s website.

Address: 4700 Grandview Road Beaver, WV 25813, Phone: 304-256-6800